Valves



Jal!- 6, 1959 M. FREEMAN l l 2,867,239

v VALVES 5 sheets-'sheet 1 Filed May 4, 1955 n n. uhh

INVENTOR Mahew L. Freeman IIIA' lllnlill l l *In A ATTORNEY Jan. 6, 1959 y M. FREEMAN VALVES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1956 Mcnhew L. Freeman ATTORNEY Jan. 6, 1959 M L, FREEMAN 2,867,239

.VALVES Filed May 4,1956 I s sheets-sheet s lla [Z6 gp 14s /60 f2sH 6u f 1r1- H3` i28- 3l z/ 5 f F g. 7 Ibn/ENTOR Mathew L. Freeman ATTORNEY 4Mathew L.`-'Freema`n;1Houston', Tex'.`

ApplicationMay- 4', 1956, Serial No. 582,881

9 claims; (cl.- 1am-6275) Thisinyention relates togvalves` and more particularly i' to. a pressure operated three-way, lvalve.

Oneobject of the invention -isfto provide a-new yand improved pressure operated Vthree-way Valve.

Anotherobject isto provide a three-way valve having an-inlet and a pair of outlets wherein the fluid entering through theinlet may be selectively directedy through eitherof the outlets.

*Still another object of the invention is to provide a Vpressure operated three-way valve'wherein the'pressure ofthe fluidpassingthrough the. valve may be employed to operate the valve. A K

A further object of the invention is topprovidre a valve having an inletanda pair of outlets and having means for selectively closingvo either or both of the outlets from the inlet.

An important object of .theginvention is to provide a valve, of the type described, .wherein4 each outlet is selectively closeable from the inlet by individually acting plugs, each selectively operable by the pressure ofan operating iluid.

A still further object-isto.provide a valve,-olf the type described-wherein the pressureofthefluid rflowing into the valve through-the inlet maybe employed selectively to move eitherof the plugs to closedposition.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve, of the type'described, wherein the plugs arefindividually biased towards ak closed positionby individual resilient means.

`A particular object of the invention isI to provide a valve ofy the character described which is adapted to automatically close off all ow throughsaid .valve upon kthe occurrenceof predetermined conditions;` :and wherein" pperating fluid pressure is trapped in the valve plug operating mechanismftopositivelyhold the" plugs closed'. even though operating fluid pressure outsidethe valve is exhausted or dissipated. l l

Another object is to provide a valve', of the .ty-pe described, wherein the plugs areA individually slidable in bores which. are selectively ventedfjto permitfopening movement of theplugs underthe pressure exerted bythe fluid entering through theinlet. I y

Still another. object isy tol provide a valve, of `the ytype described, wherein the bores are vented by the operation of a valve rod whichfisoperahleffromwithout the valve.

Another object is to provideea valve, of the type described, which -is of. simple andeconomicalr .construction and which functionsy through the medium of ther fluid pressure of the gas whose movement it controls.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading ofthe following description of adevice'constructedvin accordance "with the invention, and reference to the accompanying 'drawings thereof, wherein:

'Figure lis avertical seetional"view,rpartly in 'elevation and partlyin. section, .of -the three-waypressure' operated lvalve ofthe invention;

Figure'Zfis an enlarged vertical'sectional view`,ifsh'owing upper and lower bores of the tubular 'sleevef` are separated y 2,867,239 Patented Jan. 6, 1959 only thepperatingelements of thejvalve,vwith.theplugs in closed position, whereby knorfludfflows into the outlets of the valve;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional.view-,thel

operating mechanism of the valve oflFigureG. n

Referring nowr to the drawings,` the.th'ree.way pressure operated valve l0 of the inventiorincludes -a .body 1,1 hav ing an inlet, Minto-,which may befthreaded anvilnleteonl ductor .13, an: upper` outlet 14intotwhich may be threaded an outlet conductor-15, and-,a lower; outletf1 6rinto which may bethrea'ded a`. lower outlet conductor `17.. The inlet and the outlets communicate witha central passageway or chamber 18-in thec body 11.

The valve body 11is provided adjacent the 16 with an internal annulary shoulder 20=on5whichrests anannular valve seat 21. A cylindrical -lowerlspacer sleeve y22 has its lower end; resting 011Y the annularvalve seat 21 and extends upwardlyinto the constricted portion 23 of the central passageway 18whereit supports upper annula'rrvalve seat 24.` :An upperspaced-sleeve Z'Sinturn rests on: the upper'valv'e seat 24 and'is engagedfatitsupper end b'yfa stop plug. 26 threaded in --the uppependfof, the

valv'e'bo'dy 11, whereby'thestopl plug positively Securely the inletl 12 to the'y lower, ou`tl'et.16. The upper. valve is received 'slidably inv the upper b'ore'llnffo'f,` an elongate tubular sleeve or housing" 34. y The upper reduced portion or shank 35 of the lower,A 'plugr3'1 is received slidably -in thelower' bore' 36l of the'tubular sleeve or housir'ig.w The by an internal annular" flange' l 37 .formed substantially medially of said sleeve. The reduced portionsor Shanks of the upper and lowervalve plugsj are provided @with sealing means, such as the O-rings 38, to seal between said Shanks 'andthe tubular'sleeve or housing. The upperand lower valve plugstl and' 31gare biased towardfthe'ir valve -seats'Zli and l21',"respec`tively',.by resilientmeans such as helical springs 40and 41, respectively, lwhichfare disposed.

within `the tubular sleevev an'd bear against `theinternal annular flange '37 andagainst the upper and lowerg valve plugs.

The tubular-'sleeve orzhousing 34 is supportedn proper position'iwithin the valvel body' by means lof an elongate tubular mandrel 45v having lock rings'l?)v and4`4 mounted in suitable external annular grooves insaid niandel and engaging the upper and lower surfaces y, of the-internal flange 37 in theI tubular sleevel. The elongate' mandrel 45 extends axially `through' the` longitudnalgaxial bores f 36a; and 31a formed-in the plugst) and 31,ar`1d through an axial bore 26a in the 'stop plug 26, and thence exte'riforly -oflthe valvef bodyl 1'1. The bore 26a ,of the stopplug is provided with a downwardly nfacing internal annular shoulder 46 which c oop'eratesfwith` anupwardly'facing externalv annular shoulder 47 "on the: tubular mandrel to limit upward movement of said'mandrel with respect to lowerioutlet l the valve-bodyY 11. Downward movement of the tubular mandrel is limited by the lock ring 48 secured on the `mandrel which bears against the upper end of the stop plug. The mandrel is also Aprovided with an external l annular recess in which is'disposed a sealing means, such as an O-ring 50, which seals between the stop plug and said mandrel. 'l p p Y The sleeve 34 is provided with ya plurality ofrlateral inlet ports 55 which extend through the annular ange v i 37 thereof and, provide communication between the exl {terior and interior of said sleeve.v Each of the ports is provided with afvalve seat56 which is held in place against i an annularV shoulder757 in the port `by a lock bushing or ring 58 threaded in the outerend offtheport. Aball '3 check valve V59 isgbiased outwardly against each valve seat 56 by a spring 60 whose opposite ends Ybear against the ball check valve vand against an internal annular shoulder l 61 near the inner end of the port. It willbe seen that id may ow'throughjthe'bore 62 of each lock ring i audits associated valve seat, and then past the ball check Vvalve and through the port 55 into the interior of the tubular sleeve'34 whenever the uid pressure externally of the j tubular sleeve is of sutiicient force to overcome the resisti ance ofthe spring 60 and move the ball check valve 59 i inwardly 'to open position. The tubular mandrel 45 is also provided'with intermediate lateral ports 65 which 'g register and communicate with the ports 55 of the tubu- 1 larA sleeve. 'The mandrelgis also provided with sealing i means, such as the O-rings 66and 67, disposed above and below the lateral ports 65` and in sealing contact with the ange 37 above and below the ports 55 to direct ow of, uid from Ythe lateral ports 55 of the tubular sleeve ,tlguough'the` ports 65 into the bore of the tubular mandrel 14s.4 The` mandrel 45 has its lower end closed by a plug 70 which maybe Asecured thereto by a weld 71 or by any 1. othersuitable means. An elongate slidable valve rod 72 1 extends axially downwardly into the mandrel 45 and is The valve rod'72 is biased tolowerend engaging the upperend of the upper piston 73, and its upper end bearing'aga'nst an apertured disk'Si) 1 held against upward movement by a split lock ring 81 p' engaged in a suitable internal annular recess in the bore p of the mandrel 45. The lower spring 79,has its lower end bearing against the` plug 70 -at the lower end of the l mandrel 45 audits'upper end bearing against the lower Y i end offth'elower piston 74 of the valve rod 72. The opl posing'forces of the springs 78 and 79 are so chosen y thatfunless' an external force is applied to the valve rod 1 72, the pistons 73 and 74 thereof are held by the springs in theposition shown in Figure 2.

i The upper end of the valve rod72 extends upwardly p and outwardly through aiitting 83 at the upper end of the mandrel 45, and is operatively connected vto vthe piston 84 of an air or hydraulic cylinder 85. Thus,

downwardly against the resistance of the spring 79, and

` when air isintroduced into the air cylinder 85 through i the inlet. 87, the valve rod is movedlupwardly against the resistance of thespring 78.` l

Y The fitting 83 at the upper end ot' the tubular mandrel 45 is provided with a venting tube 88 which communicates with the internal bore 89 lof the mandrel.

check valve 90 is connected inthe venting tube fora purpose which will be hereinafter more 'fully explained.`

A velocity The tubular mandrel 45is provided with a plurality of n lower lateralports 92 which establish communication be- 1 tween the internal bore 89 of the mandrel and the lower bore 36 of the cylindrical sleeve 34.- The tubular mandrel is also provided with a plurality of upper lateral ports 93 which communicate between the internal bore 89 of the mandrel and the upper `bore 33 of the cylindrical sleeve.

The valve rod 72 has a longitudinal bore 94 which extends from the lower end thereof to a point above the upper piston 73 yand is alsol provided with a plurality of lateral apertures 95 above the upper piston which afford communication between the bore 94 ofthe valve rod and .the bore 89 of themandrel. The upper and lower valve plugs-3i) and 31 are slidable on the'mandrel 45,

- and sealing means, such as the O-rings 96, are carried by upper and'lower sets of external annular grooves formed in the mandrel to seal betweeny the mandrel and each of the valve plugs.

When the slide rod 72 is in the position shown in F1gure 2, with the upper piston 73 positioned above the lateral ports 93 of the mandrel 45 and with the lower piston 74 positioned below the lower-lateral ports 92 o-f said mandrel,vthe upper valvefplug 30 and the lower valve plug 31 are held in the closed positions shown by the forces exerted by the springs 4t) and 41 and by the pressure of the fluid in the passageway 18 of the valve body. This iluid moves from the inlet 12 through 4the-lateral ports 100 of the cylindrical spacer sleeve 22 to the lateral ports 55 of the tubular sleeve 34, moving the ball check valves inwardly whensuch pressure is greater vthan the pressure in the bore of thetubular mandrel 45. The duid enters into the longitudinal bore 89 of the mandrel through the intermediate lateral ports 65 and ows through said bore tothe lateral ports 93 andv 92 and thence into the bores 33 and 36, respectively, of the sleeve 34, where it acts against the` inner ends of the valve plugs 30 and 31 to bias vthem toward their'valve seats 24 and 21, respectively. The pressure of the uid from the inlet also'acts on the outer surfaces of the plugs 30 and 31'not closed off by the seats 24 and 21, respectively, to tend to move the plugs 30 and 31 toward open position; but, since these outer surfaces present a smallercross-sectional area than Y the area of the inner ends of the Shanks of the valve plugs,

the uid pressure in the bores 33 and 36 acts in concert with the forces exerted by the springs 40 and 41 to hold the valve plugs closed. The ball check valves 59 prevent accidental opening of the plugs 30 and 31, caused by any loss` of pressure in the body which might arise as a result of loss of pressure in the inlet conductor, to prevent back flow of Huid from the'outlet conductor, thus caus- 'ing `the valve'to act, as a safety or back ow check valve Q whenV air under pressure isv introduced into thev aix' l cylinder 85 through the inlet86, the valve rod is moved in the event of loss of pressure `in the upstream conductor. 1 Y

When it is desired to permit huid to flow from the inlet 12'to the upper outlet 14, the valve rod 72 is moved `to the position shown in Figure 4 wherein the upper piston 73 is disposed between the upper lateral ports 93 andV the intermediate lateral ports of the tubular mandrel and the lower piston 74 is positioned below the lower lateral ports 92 of said mandrel. with the pistons in these positions, fluid from the inlet may flow into the lower bore36 of the tubular sleeve 34 through the ports'SS and 92 of the mandrel. This insures that the lower vvalve plug 31 is mantainedin its closed position. The upper bore 33 of the sleeve, however,ris now sealed olf from the lateral ports 55 by the upper piston 73, so that the fluid pressure within the' bore 33 is vented to atmosphere through the ports 93 and the bore 89 of the mandrel which communicates with the venting tube 88 through the velocity checkvalve l9tl, and -only the'forceof the spring4tl now opposesdownward movement of the upper plug 30 toward closed position. The inlet pressure now acting on theunbalanced outer surfaces of the plug 30, represented by the difference between the smaller cross-sectional area of ,the valve seat vopening 24 and the larger cross-sectional area of the shank of the valve plug, causes it to move downwardly to open It will be apparent that position. Any fluid which may have beentrappecl in the vbore 33 3 is vented -`rto the surface through 'the ports'-"93 of the Y mandrel into 'the "longitudinal -bore S9 -`therfeof, rkand Vthroughlthe apertures -102 of the disc l80 -to the -vent pipe 88 as the valve plug istmoveddownwardly.v n y When it is desired to direct the'fiow of fluid from the inlet 12 tothe lower outlet 16, the valve'l72 is moved upwardly to the position shown in Figure f5, wherein-the lower piston is positioned between `thevintern'lediate, lateral ports 65 and the lower ports 92of the mandrelwhile the upper pisto-n 73 is positionedabove the upper lateral ports 93 of the mandrel. Fluid from the inlet-12 vcan no longer reachthe bore 36 of the tubulary sleeve 34,A since the lower piston is'positioned between -theintermediate lateral portl 65 and the lower'lateral ports-92r` iof the tubular mandrel, and'fluid pressure in said `bore'36 is vented to atmosphere through the'borev 94 and ports '95 of the valve'rod and the bore 89 of'the'mandrel and the venting tube S8. Accordingly, ksince the upwardmove'ment of the lower valve plug 31 is now resisted` only4 by theforce of the spring 41, the pressureof theiluidfrom the inlet acting on'the effective area of the outer surfaces onthe valve plug 31 now moves the valve plug upwardly'to thel open position shown. Any iluid trapped in the cylin- -drical bore 36 is vented to the atmosphere through the lower lateral ports 92 into the longitudinal bore 89 of the inner mandrel and kthence through the longitudinal l bore 94 and the lateral ports 95 ofthe valve rod 72 to the portion ofthe longitudinal bore 89disposed above the upper piston of the valve rod and does not prevent upward opening movement ofthe Valve plug. In the meantime,'the uppervalve plug 30 is 'positively maintained in closed position since the fluidpressure from the inlet 12 may 'enter into the upper bore 33`through the intermediate lateral ports 65 and the upper lateral ports 93 ofthe tubu-larmandrel. l

It will new be apparent that a new and improved threeway valve has'been described' and illustrated which includes an inlet 12 and two outlets14y and 16which are selectively closable by valve plugs 3l? and.31. lt will also be apparent that' the fluid pressure fromthe inlet .acts on the inner Vends of the plugs` to biasthemtoward closed positions, while at the same time it acts onthe outer surfaces of the valveplugs'to move'them toward open positions, and when the pressure acting on the 'inner shank ends of the valve:k plugs is vented to'atmospliere, the pressure acting upon'the outer unbalanced areas of the valve plugs tends to move to open positions.

It will also be apparent that a valve rod 72 `has been provided which controls the admission ofoperating uid into the bore of the sleeve 34 to act on the valveplugs, and when in the intermediate position shown in' Figure 2 insures that theoperating'i'luid will move'V the valve plugs 3d and 31 toward closed positions, but when in the lower positionshown inFigure 4 cutsoff the flow of inlet fluid to the bore 33 and simultaneously'vents the bore 33 to the atmosphereso that the inlet pressure acts only to move the upper valvev plug toward open position, and when the valve rod 72 is in such lowerV position nsures that operating fluid is admitted to the bore. 36 to utilize the pressure thereof to maintain the valve plug. 31 in aclosed position. lIt will also`be apparent that when the valve rod 72 is moved .to theupper position shown in Figure 5, it cuts ot the operating iluid from the bore 36 and vents said bore to atmosphere, so that the pressure of the operating fluid acts only on the lower valve plug 31 to move the same to Vopen position. At the same time the valve rod permits the flow of operating fluid-to the bore 33 to hold the upper valveplug 30 yin closed position. lt will also be apparent that the provision of the check balls 59 prevents movement of .the valve plugs toward open position unless the valve rod is in the proper position torpermitV the-bores to vent tothe outside atmosphere. It will also be apparent vthat a new and improved three-Way valve has 4been illustrated and described which is simple in construction and will oper 'ateunder the forces-exertedby'thepressure ofthe operlatin'gf fluid,which may be the inletffluid itself; but, if desired, kthe'bore-89` of the tubular mandrelfmay be c'onnected to an external source of' luid `unde'r-pressureso that the valve-plugs may be'made-to operate independently of the inlet pressure.

A modied form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, wherein the valve is operated by a iluid pressure from a source independent of the uid ilowing through the valve. In this form of the valve, the valve operating mechanism, and only the valve operating mechanism, diiers from that-form of the valve previouslyillustrated, andfor this'reason similary numbers will be given to the valve seats 21- and 24 and to the upper and lower valve plugs 30 and 31 and their associatedV parts. The tubular mandrel 103 carries the outer tubular valve sleeve-or housing `106 in-the same manner as the sleeve 3ft` was carried by the mandrel 45 in the form previously described, said sleeve being held in place onthe mandrel by means of a pair of spaced snap rings 107 which are positioned in suitable external annular groovesformed in the mandr'eland disposed above and below the internal annular ilange 108 formed medially of the bore of the sleeve 106. The upper and lower valve plugs are biased toward closed positions by springs 4t) and 41, respectively, and the valves serveto 4close'oiif ow through the seats 24'and 21, respectively, in the valve body in the manner already described. A valve rod 110 is concentrically mounted in the bore of the tubular mandrel 10S, and this valve rod carries a pair of spaced pistons formed externally thereon, an upper piston 111 and a lower piston 112, said rod having a lateralport 113 formed therein between the pistons land Iproviding .communication between the eX- terior of the rod and the longitudinal bore 114 ofvsaid rod. Aflateral'port 11S-may be formed in the wall of the rod below the piston 112. Sealing means, such as @rings-120, are positioned-in suitable external annular grooves'formed inthe pistons 111 and 112 to seal between said pistons and the bore wall of the tubular mandrel`105. A lateral ilow port is formed in the wall of the tubular mandrel MSVabove the flange 108, and provides communication lbetween the bore 126 of said mandrel and the chamber or bore 33 in the upper portion of'the sleeve `1P\`(,-sogthat fluid pressure passing throughsaid port may act on the reduced lower shank of the valve plug 3i) in conjunction with the spring 40 to bias the plug outwardly of the sleeve toward seating engagementv with the seat 24. Similarly, a port 128 50'.' formed in: the' wall of the mandrel 106? below the ange 1438 provides communication between the lower bore 36 of the 'sleeveltld and the bore 126 of the mandrel 105, whereby'u'id pressure passingvthrough the port may act on the reduced inner end or shank of the valve plug 31 in the manner already described to co-act with the spring 41`to biasl the plug toward closed position.

vThe lower-end of the tubular mandrel 105 is closed by a suitable plug 130 secured therein by welding or any other suitabler manner, and the lower end of the valve rod 110 engages the plug to limit downward movement of said rod in said mandrel. The upper end of the mandrel is connected to astuling box or bushing having a lateral ilow -portvory conductor 141 communicating therethrough with the bore of the mandrel. The upper end ofthe valve rod 110`extends upwardly through the bushing and is connected at its outer end with a suitable conductor 145 leading toan operating uid control valve 146 which has one'conduit 147 connectedto a suitable source of fluid pressure andanother conduit 148 communicating with the atmosphere, whereby the bore of the valve rod 110 maybe subjected to pressure of the operating iluid or may be vented to atmosphere, depending upon the position ofthe valve 146. Similarly, the conductor-141 fronrthe bushing extends to.a valve 150 whichlikewise lies a.k pressure conductorV 151 and a vent 152 connected therewith, whereby pressure `through the conductor 151 to the bore 126 of the tubular fluid may vbe Yintroduced mandrel 105,Y `or the bore of the mandrel'may be exhausted to Vatmospherethrough the vent 152.

With the operating mechanism in the position shown lin Figure 7, operating fluid pressure may be introduced through the bore 114 of the valve rod and will pass through the ports 113 and 128 into the chamber or bore i36 to act on the inner end of the shank of the lower l valve plug 31 to cooperate with-the spring 41 to hold the plug in closed position.v Simultaneously, the chamber g or bore 33 is placed in communication through the port 1 125 withthe bore 126 of the mandrel 105, and any fluid pressure therein is then conducted through the bushing 140 and the conductor 141 to the valve 150, where it is vented to atmosphere through the vent outlet 152.

I Under these conditions, the lower valve plug is closed 1 and the upper valve plug is open, and uid flow may take place from the inlet 12 of the valve body to theupper 3 outlet 14 thereof, through the seat 24.

Conversely, the operating fluid pressure may be introduced into the bore of the mandrel 105 and permitted to pass through the port 125 into the chamber or bore l 33 to act on the inner end of the upper valve plug 30 to move the same upwardly to closed position; and, simultaneously, the uid pressure in the chamber or bore 36 3 may be Vented to atmosphere through the ports 12S and and 113 and the bore 114 of the valve rod 110, whereupon the lower valve plug 31 will be moved to open position by the pressure of the fluid from the inlet opening of the valve acting on the outer unbalanced area of the valve plug, as has already been explained.

Obviously, if desired, operating fluid pressure may be l applied to both the bore 114 of the valve rod 110 and to the bore 126 of the mandrel 105, and both valve l plugs may be positively held in closed position. Similarly, both the chamber or bore 33 and the chamber or bore 36 may be vented through the bore 126 of the mandrel l 105 and through the bore 114 of the valve rod 110, re-

spectively, to permit both Valve plugs to be moved to l open position simultaneously.

The functioning of the valve is controlled by suitable controller mechanisms 160 and 161 acting upon Lthe i valves 146 and 150, respectively, whereby the valves are g moved to positions admitting operating uid pressure to the bore of their respective elements, or to posil tions venting the bores of their respective elements, to

cause the desired functioning of the valve plugs.

It is believed manifest that the operating uid may be taken by a suitable conduit 165 from the upstream conductor ahead of the valve 10, and may be passed through the control valves 146 and 150 to operate the valve plugs. Also, if desired, the operating fluid from such upstream conductor may be cut off-by a valve 166 t in the conductor 165, and anoperating iluid from an in- 3 dependent source of pressure may be directed by the 3 conductors 147 and 151 by means of a conductor 168 having a valve 169 connected therein. Thus, operating i fluid from either source may be utilized by selectiv operation of the valves 166 and 169.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a further improved and simplified form ofpthree-way valve has been described and illustrated which provides for positive actuation of the valve plugs by hydraulic pressure means controlled by'a suitable control mechanism exteriorly of the valve. Obviously, the control mechanism may be automatically actuated-or may be actuated in response to predetermined conditions of flow, time or other variables, impressed upon theV controller mechanism. In either case, the valve plugs are adapted to be moved toward open position by the pressure of the uid `flowing through the valve acting on the unbalanced outer -areas 'of the valve plugs. Similarly, both valve plugs are Y 8 either may be opened independently of the other, depending upon the desired conditions of flow, and the admission of operating uid to the valve or the venting of such duid fromwithin the valve operating mechanism.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and Patent is: y

1. A three-way valve comprising: a body having an inlet, a rst outlet and a second outlet; a tubular sleeve disposed in said body between said inlet and said outlet; means dividing the bore of said sleeve into separate chambers at its opposite ends; a pair of valve plugs slidable in said separate chambers in the opposite ends of said tubular sleeve between positions opening and closing said outlets; means sealing between said valve plugs and said sleeves; resilient means within said tubular sleeve biasing each of said valve plugs in opposite directions toward closed positions to prevent flow of fluid from said inlet to one of said outlets, said valve plugsbeing exposed kto the pressure of the uid from the inlet which tendsto move said valve plugs toward open positions again the force of said resilient means, and interconnected valve means communicating with both said chambers for selectively introducing pressure of an operating uid into said separate chambers in said tubular sleeve selectively to bias said valve plugs toward closed positions,rsaid valve means also providing for selectively releasing the pressure of the operating fluid from within each separate chamber to permit fluid pressure within the valve body to move the Vselected valve plug to open position.

2. A three-way valve comprising: a body having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet; a tubular sleeve disposed in said body between said inlet and said outlets; means dividing the bore of said sleeve into separate chambers at its opposite ends; a pair of valve plugs slidable in said separate chambers in the opposite ends of said tubular sleeve; each of said valve plugs being movable in its separate chamber between positions opening and closing one of said outlets; means sealing between said valve plugs and said sleeve; resilient means within said tubular sleeve biasing each of said valve plugs in opposite directions toward closed positions t0 prevent flow of fluid from said inlet to one of said outlets, said valve plugs being exposed to the pressure of the fluid from the inlet which tends to move said valve plugs toward open positions against the force of said resilient means; interconnected valve means communicating with both said chambers for selectively introducing pressure of an operating Huid into said separate chambers in said tubular sleeve selectively to bias said valve plugs toward closed positions; said valve means also providing for selectively releasing the pressure of the operating uid from within each separate chamber to permit uid pressure within the valve body to move the selected valve plug to open position; and means operable exteriorly of said valve body for controlling the operation of said valve means.

3. A three-way valve comprising: a body having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet; valve seats disdesired to be secured vby Letters posed between each outlet and said inlet; valve plugs seatable on said valve seats to prevent flow of fluid from said inlet tofsaid outlets; a tubular sleeve vdisposed in said body having separate bores at opposite ends thereof, said valve plugs each having a reduced portion slidable in one of said bores and an enlarged portion disposed outwardly of said one of said bores and being larger than said one of-said bores; means sealing between said reduced portion of each of said valve plugs and the wall of the sleeve bore in which said plug vis positioned; resilient means in said' bores biasing each of said valve plugs toward itsv valve seat, the exterior surfaces of said valve plugs beingV exposed to the pressure of the fiuid from the 'inlet whereby 4the valve plugs "are 'urged toward open position b'y the force 'of 'said pressure against the resistance of said resilient means; and interconnected valve means communicating with lboth said bores of said sleeve disposed within vsaid tubular sleeve for admitting 'operating fiuid into said bores selectively to hold said valve plugs in closed positions, said valve means being operable to selectively and separately release the pressure of said operating iiuid from within each of said bores to permit the pressure of the fluid within the valve body to move awselected valve plug off its seat to permit flow from within the body through said seat and out said'outlet. l

4. A three-way valve comprising: a body having an inlet and a first outlet and a second outlet; a first valve seat disposed between said inlet and said first outlet; a second valve seat disposed between said inlet and said second outlet; a first valve plug cooperable with said first valve seat for preventing fiow of fluid from said inlet to said first outlet; a second valve plug cooperable with said second valve seat to prevent fiow of fiuid from said inlet to said second outlet; a tubular sleeve disposed in said body between said inlet and said outlets, said tubular sleeve having a first lbore which receives said first valve plug and having a second bore which receives said second valve plug; a tubular mandrel secured to the body and extending through said valve plugs and said tubular sleeve, said tubular sleeve being mounted on said mandrel in substantially fixed position between said valve seats; resilient means in said bores biasing said valve plugs in opposite directions toward closed positions, said tubular mandrel and said tubular sleeve having apertures for permitting flow of fluid from the valve inlet into the interior of the mandrel, said mandrel having apertures communicating with said bores of said tubular sleeve; and valve means slidable in said tubular mandrel for selectively preventing flow of fluid from the interior of said mandrel into the bores of the tubular sleeve.

5. A three-way valve comprising: a body having an inlet and a first outlet and a second outlet; a first valve seat disposed between said inlet and said first outlet;

a second valve seat disposed between said inlet and said second outlet; a rst valve plug cooperable with said first valve seat for preventing flow of fluid from said inlet to said first' outlet; a second valve plug cooperable with said second valve seat to prevent flow of fluid from said inlet to said second outlet; a tubular sleeve disposed in said body between said inlet and said outlets, said tubular sleeve having a first bore which receives said first valve plug and having a second bore which receives said second valve plug; a tubular mandrel secured to the `body and extending through said valve plugs and said tubular sleeve, said tubular sleeve being mounted( on said mandrel in substantially fixed position between said valve seats; resilient means in said bores biasing said valve plugs in opposite directions toward closed positions, said tubulaimandrel and said tubular sleeve having apertures for permitting flow of fluid from the valve inlet into the interior of the mandrel, said mandrel having apertures communicating with said bores of said tubular sleeve; and valve means slidable in said tubular mandrel for selectively preventing flow of fluid from the interior of said mandrel into the bores of the tubular sleeve; said valve means also selectively venting said bores.

6. A three-way valve comprising: a body having an inlet, a rst outlet and a second outlet; a tubular sleeve disposed in said body between said inlet and said outlets; a pair of valve plugs slidable in the opposite ends of said tubular sleeve; means sealing between each valve plug and said sleeve; means dividing the bore of said sleeve into a pair of separate chambers in each of which one of said valve plugs is slidably disposed and movable between positions opening and closing one of said outd lets; resilient means within said tubular sleeve biasing said valve plu'gs'in opposite direction toward closed positions to prevent flow of f'luid from said inlet to said outlets, said valve plugs having areas exposed to the pressure o'f the fluid from the inlet which tendsto move said valve plugs toward open position against the force ofsaid resilient means; means for conducting operating fluid into each of said separate chambers in said tubular sleeve to act on the ends of said valve plugs in said chambers; valve means interconnected in said sleeve for selectivelyv controlling the flow ofoperating fluid pressure to said separate chambers to act o-n said valve plugs to selectively bias said valve plugs toward closed position; said valve means also providing for selectively and separately releasing the pressure of the operating fluid from within each of said separate chambers to permit said valve plugs to be moved to open position by fiuid pressure entering the body through the inlet; and means operable exteriorly of said valve for controlling the operation of said valve means.

7. A three-way valve comprising: a body having a passageway therein; said body having an inlet communiv eating with said passageway intermediate its ends and a first outlet communicating with one end of said passage- Way and a second outlet communicating with the opposite end of said passageway; a valve seat disposed in said passageway between said inlet and said first outlet; a second valve seat disposed in said passageway between said inlet-and said second outlet; a first Valve plug cooperable with said first valve seat for preventing flow of fiuid through said seat; a seco-nd valve plug cooperable with said second valve seat to prevent fiow of fiuid through said second valve seat; a tubular sleeve disposed in said passageway of said body between saidy outlets and having a first bore which receives said first valve plug and having a second bore which receives said second valve plug; a tubular mandrel secured to said body and extending through said valve plugs and said tubular sleeve, said tubular sleeve being mounted on said mandrel in substantially fixed position between said valve seats; resilient means in said bores of said tubular sleeve biasing said valve plugs into closing engagement with their respective seats; said mandrel having first and second apertures formed therein providing separate communication between the bore of said mandrel and the bores of said tubular sleeve; means providing conductors for introducing an operating fluid into said bores of said sleeve to bias said valve plugs toward closed position; and means for selectively controlling the introduction of such operating fluid into said bores to selectively bias said valve plugs toward closed position.

8. A three-way valve of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for conducting an operating fluid through the apertures in the tubular mandrel into the chambers in the tubular sleeve comprises: a valve rod having sealing means thereon sealing between said valve rod and the tubular mandrel; said valve rod having a longitudinal fiow passage therein disposed to communicate with one of the apertures of said tubular mandrel to conduct operating fiuid pressure to said aperture and into the first bore of said sleeve to act on the first of said valve plugs; the space between said valve rod and said tubular mandrel providing a second pasage providing communication with the second aperture in said mandrel and the second bore to conduct operating fluid'pressure to said second bore to act on the valve plug therein.

9. A three-way valve of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for conducting operating fluid pressure to said bores to bias said valve plugs toward closed position comprises: means providing a lateral flow inlet passage through the wall of said tubular sleeve and through the wall of said tubular mandrel providing communication between the passageway of the body and the bore of said tubular mandrel; and the means for controlling the admissionof'operatiug fluid to said'bores of said sleeve comprisesifa valve rod slidablelongitudinally Ein the bore of said ,tubular mandrel and having va Apair i of spaced pistons thereon; sealing means on said pistons 1 sealing,7 between said pistons and saidA tubular mandrel; l said valve rod having a longitudinal flow passage hterein `communicating with the bore of the tubular mandrel above and below said pistons; means normally retaining said valve -rod in position with the pistons so disposed l that the rst and second apertures of said mandrel and said lateral flow inlet passage through the wall of said l tubular sleeve and through the wall of said tubular mandrel communicate with the bore of said tubular mandrel between said pistons whereby fluid from said 12 Y c c Y lateral flow inletpassage is directed into the rst and second boresljof "said sleevejto act on saidvalve plugs; andmeans'operable exteriorly of theva1ve for shifting the position ofthe valve rod Yto selectively. position one of the pistons between said lateral ow inlet passageand the adjacent mandrel aperture`to prevent ow of iluid from said lateral flow inlet passage into the corresponding bore .of said tubular sleeve and simultaneously venting the other bore of said tubular sleeve.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 742,422 Hedlund Q Oct. 27,A 1903 932,262 Ford Aug. 24, 1909 UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICEv CERTIFICATE 0E CORRECTION Patent Nou 2,867,239 January 6, 1959 Mathew L. Freeman It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the sai'dfLet'ters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 44, strike out ",slidably" and insert instead slidingly --l column 5, line 48, after "move" insert them column 8, line 25, strike out "again" and insert instead magainst Signed and sealed this 26th day of May 1959.,

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting OHcer Commissioner of Patents 

